Page 36 - The Indian EYE 031023

SPORTS MARCH 10, 2023 | The Indian Eye 36

AUSTRALIA IN INDIA

Aussies beat India with spin and move

to WTC final as hosts have to wait

Australia’s latest triumph came on the back of a superb bowling performance from veteran
off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who collected 11 wickets for the match

OUR BUREAU
New Delhi
ustralia’s convincing
nine-wicket triumph over In-
Adia in the third Test has helped
them book a place at this year’s ICC
World Test Championship Final, but
just who joins them in the decider re-
mains wide open.
Australia have been the dom-
inant side during this World Test
Championship period (2021-23),
with Pat Cummins’ side having won
11 of the 18 Tests they have featured
in. Their latest triumph came on the
back of a superb bowling perfor-
mance from veteran off-spinner Na-
than Lyon, who collected 11 wickets
for the match to more than make up
for the unexpected absence of Cum-
mins due to family reasons.
While batting collapses for Aus-
tralia throughout the series might
have made for a nervy run chase, es-
pecially after Usman Khawaja fell for
a duck in the second innings, Travis
Head (49*) and Marnus Labuschagne
(28*) steered them to the stirring win.
That victory has helped Austra-
lia amass an impressive 68.52 of their
possible WTC points and that means
they will finish the current period in Marnus Labuschagne celebrates the team’s win in the 3rd Test match against India at Holkar Cricket Stadium, in Indore on Friday (ANI)
first place on the World Test Cham-
pionship standings regardless of the
result in the final Test of their ongo- Sri Lanka have two Tests to • New Zealand v Sri Lanka (Second for us,” Smith said in the post-match
ing series against India. play away from home against New Test) - Wellington, New Zealand, press conference on Friday.
While India holds on to second Zealand this month and know they 17-21 March. “We were obviously disappoint-
place on the standings with 60.29 of have to complete a 2-0 series sweep ed with the way things ended partic-
their possible WTC points and are in over the Kiwis to have any chance of WE ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO ularly in the last game and failing to
the box seat to qualify for the one-off snatching a spot in the WTC Final. GET RESULTS: SMITH take our opportunities, and knowing
Test at The Oval in June, they can still after that second test we can’t actual-
be overtaken by Sri Lanka should re- REMAINING ICC WORLD TEST ollowing win over India in the ly win the series. That’s always been
sults go against Rohit Sharma’s side CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES 3rd Test, Steve Smith, who on the bucket list for a few of us. For
over the coming weeks. • South Africa v West Indies (Sec- Fstood in as the captain in the the guys to be able to regroup, trust
A victory in the fourth Test ond Test) - Johannesburg, South absence of the injured Pat Cummins, themselves with what they’re trying to
against Australia in Ahmedabad will Africa, 8-12 March said that the players have enough do and just try to do it for longer. It’s
ensure India’s spot in the WTC Final, • New Zealand v Sri Lanka (First faith in their methods and they are something we’ve spoken about and
but another victory for the visitors or Test) - Christchurch, New Zea- good enough to bounce back after the way we did it this week was really
a draw will leave the door open for land, 9-13 March suffering two Test match defeats pleasing. It’s about taking the result
Sri Lanka to overtake Rohit’s side • India v Australia (Fourth Test) - against hosts. out of play, have faith in our methods
and snatch the last spot. Ahmedabad, India, 9-13 March “The break came a good time Continued on next page... >>

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